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1876 JTJ^T 3F»1^:^Xj8X^^M333. 1876 

Ij I IB" 1 J±l 7 

OF 

BEAU HjCKMAN, 




WASHINGTON: 

CUNNINGHAM & BRASHEARS, PRINTERS 

1876- 




FOB SALE AT THE BOOKSTORES, 






Entered according to Act of Congress in the year 1876, in the 
Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington, D, C, 



s 



PEBFAOE. 



Perhaps an apology should be offered for imposing 
these sketches of a useless life upon the public- 
Indeed biographies should never be written of persons 
who, during their lives, neglected to make memoianda y 
or failed to preserve any data to insure exact truthful- 
ness. In this instance the writer has had nothing of 
the kind to aid him, for the subject of these sketches 
was a professional man of leisure, and eschewed trouble 
and inconvenieuce. The main sources to draw from 
were the on (lit of the town and general recollections 
of the country. The files of the National BepuMican r 
Washington Chronicle, Evening Star and the Capital 
also furnished many of the incidents contained in the 
following pages. 

, It is hoped that the same excuse that justified the 
public generally in tolerating and patronizing so singu— 
ar a character will serve as an apology for thus collect- 
ing the main incidents of his life. 

THE AUTHOR, 

Washington, D. C, June 12, 1876. 



LIFE, 

ADVENTURES AND ANECDOTES 



OF 



BEAU HICKMAN. 



Earely will it ever occur .in any profession that two 
men will so singularly monopolize the characteristics 
of a special genius to a greater extent than was the 
case with George Brummell, the renowned Beau of 
England, and Eobert S. Hickman, the equally famous 
Beau and Prince of American Bummers. Thau their's 
was a profession, as they unblushingly claimed, their 
life-long practices, and the marvelous success in the 
accomplishment of their purposes fully establish ; and 
the multifarious creations of plot and scheme exhibit 
a genius, as well as their executive ability in develop- 



6 

ing their practices attests a talent of no ordinary char- 
acter, which, if it had been employed in more legitimate 
pursuits would most probably have developed equally 
renowned results. But, as it was, their lives proved 
.signal failures, and the genius and talent of these sin- 
gular men having been directed solely to the accom- 
plishment of selfish purposes, the world still moves on 
mo better for their having lived, unless, perhaps, the 
^memory of their idiosyncracies may recur 
"To point a moral or adorn a tale." 

There is a much closer parallel between the general 
characters of Hickman and Brummell than is, in a 
casual study, usually conceded. Like Brummell, our 
American Beau boasted a gentility that was rendered 
most ludicrously ungenteel in the manner of its prac- 
tice, and won for them their respective well merited 
pseudonyms. Both were of respectable parentage — 
Brummell maintaining a proportionate rank in an 
aristocratical, to that of Hickman in a republican 
society. In education they were about equal, neither 
attaining any degree of proficiency. Where the one 
boasted the exquisiteness of his toilet and elegance of 
.manners, polished in the drawing rooms of a monarch- 
al al aristocracy, the other prided himself in having been 
brought up in the half feudal, half democratic manner- 
asm of his native State. When, in their early and less 
^disreputable days, the one may have excelled in courtly 



etiquette and the social intrigues of the drawing-room 
and club, the other surpassed in the sports of the field 
and chase, and won the admiration of his associates by 
his courteous manners, rollicksome humor and careless 
indifference to the conventionalities of his social sphere- 
Both weFe the proteges of generous patrons, and each 
preferred a life of prodigal gentility sustained by an 
ungrateful abuse of gratuities. In their declining years 
fickle fortune respected the great similitude of character 
and rewarded their unmeritorious lives with bitter 
penury and want, whilst they languished the miserable 
remnants of their useless lives, suffering a just morti- 
fication at the failure of the experiment of a question- 
able profession. 

But neither should be judged wholly by the catas- 
trophe of their lives, for there was unquestionably with 
both a phase of character so novel that its ultimate 
failure to produce beneficial results cannot entirely 
deprive it of interest. In the heyday of their glory, 
when they were fe'ted aud applauded for the originality 
of thgir profession, they won a species of admiration 
for their genius that developed their unlimited wealth 
of resource, which must have been as gratifying as the 
mortification at their ultimate failures was poignant. 
They can only be properly studied in connection with 
their times, and it would be unjust to regard them only 
from the standpoint of their failures, and deprive 



8 

their history of the eclat of their success. Their great 
failure was in living too long; and the common judg- 
ment must be that the great mistake of their lives was 
in not directing their talents in the more legitimate 
professions; and where they did not succeed in acquiring 
reputation for good, they, as well, avoided a criminal 
notoriety. There was, however, this difference in the 
circumstances of the two men — the one had the titled 
and wealthy for his patrons, and was spared the humil- 
ity of petty mendaciousness which the other was often 
forced to practice in a democratic society with less 
opulent patrons. Had Hickman been thus equally 
circumstanced he would have been less of the menda- 
cious Bummer and more of the genteel Beau, and a 
more charitable appointment in God's acre would have 
been allowed, and, it is to be hoped, decency had not 
been so desecrated as was so outrageously perpetrated 
on his last humble resting place in Potter's Field. 

Robert S. Hickman, who became so familiarly known 
as Colonel Beau Hickman, was a native of Virginia, 
born in the year 1813 ? of respectable parentage. He 
had been early placed at school, but, although of a 
quick and sprightly turn of mind, yet he relied mainly 
upon practices of conciliation to maintain his rank in 
his classes, and secured the esteem of his mates by a 
courteous deportment and insinuating confidences. 
He very readily adopted the current idea that a Yir- 



9 

ginia gentleman was the ideal of chivalry, and his man- 
nerism the sine qua non of gentility. He was early 
indulged in the social pastimes and amusements that 
yet savored of the old time manorial customs ; and, 
by his elegant manners and splendid person and jovial 
disposition he became a general favorite, which'prefer- 
ence ultimately proved the means of changing the 
entire tenor of his after life. About the time when he 
had obtained his majority and was seriously contem- 
plating adopting some legitimate pursuit, the great 
catastrophe occurred that hastened his sudden advent 
out upon the world. His friends had been frequently 
annoyed by rumors of his tendency towards social con- 
viviality, and even, in several instances, he was sus- 
pected of libertinism, and was frequently reprimanded 
on account of his licentious conduct in the neighbor- 
hood. But, unfortunately, thfese sage counsels were 
disregarded, and he was finally detected in some dis- 
reputable excesses, and, in order to escape the scandal 
of his follies, he received the share of his patrimony 
and started from his home and friends a prodigal 
wanderer, without any defined object or aim in life. 
About what amount of money he received as his share 
of the paternal inheritance is not definitely known, but 
is generally thought to have been about ten thousand 
dollars, which he. very dexterously managed to run 



10 

through with in a little less than two years in riotous 
and sumptuous living. 

As the practice of the profession of Hickman was 
regarded by his friends and relatives, who very justly 
prided themselves upon their social connections, as 
being so disreputable, it is deemed prudent to omit 
whatever might refer directly to them, aud connect 
them in any manner with the subject of these sketches. 
The Beau, himself, scrupulously refrained during his 
entire life from making any such exposure, and even 
in the latter days of his faded glory, when poverty 
assailed him most severely and drove him to his sorest 
straits, he maintained this confidence, even at the 
sacrifice of his once vaunted gentility, which, perhaps, 
may be regarded as the crowning virtue of his life. 
He allowed no one to question him upon the circum- 
stance of his leaving home, and any such attempt 
would be promptly met by a sullen rebuke. On one 
occasion, during the rebellion, an old acquaintance of 
his one day remarked to him with the kindliest inten- 
tions, ''Beau, why do you not write down to your old 
home and find out something about your family. The 
armies have, no doubt, ravaged that part of the country, 
and I should think you would feel anxious to know 
whether your friends are still living, and learn to how 
great an extent they have been inj ured by the casualties 
of war." " Sir," said the deeply offended Beau, drawir ~ «, 



11 

himself up to the dignified stature he was so wont on 
occasions to assume, "you will please to content 
yourself by minding your own business, and never 
presume to interfere with mine." So deeply did he 
resent this imagined insult that he never again spoke 
to the interrogator. 

His first appearance in Washington was in 1833 or 
1834, when he was a young man of about twenty or 
twenty-one years of age. This was in the good old 
days of the republic, before sectionalism had engendered 
such deadly antipathies; when Washington was the 
gay metropolis of representative aristocracy, and the 
statesman and sportsman and beauty and chivalry 
held high carnival during the brief sessional terms, 
and gentility had not yet coined the flunky term of 
shoddy, when this young gentleman, a stranger and 
wanderer from his home and friends, first stepped out 
upon the social boards, where he afterwards won for 
himself, as Beau and Bummer, a renown as famous as 
those statesmen of his day who indulged the humor 
of his bu turnings, or socially enjoyed the nonchalance 
of his grotesque gentility. 

He immediately plunged into the social cauldron, 
affected those places of resort and amusement where 
he would most likely be associated with the represen- 
tative and sporting classes, and announced himself a 
sporting character. 



12 

He regularly attended and patronized the races, and 
was always the observed of all observers upon the 
grounds, and won quite a reputation for his excellent 
judgment and knowledge of horse-flesh. He became 
a regular habitue of the club, and soon boasted an 
intimate acquaintance with some of the most eminent 
statesmen and renowned sporting men of the day; 
and by his faultless habit and easy and dignified grace 
of person he was by no means unattractive to the fair 
denizens of the drawing-room. He dressed in the 
most approved elegance of the mode, wore a diamond 
pin, a gold watch and massive fob, carried a cane and 
wore a faultless beaver, the color and style of which 
afterwards became so characteristic of the individual. 
As a gentleman of elegant leisure and fashion his 
tout ensemble was proverbial for neatness, elegance and 
simplicity. 

His money easily purchased him admittance into 
the most fashionable society, and being fond of a good 
story, which lie could relate with fine effect, he became 
the life of the club and entertainer at the convivial 
gatherings of that class of wealthy gentlemen whom 
he met in their annual visits to the Capital. He 
a fine conversationalist, and was frequently invite 
evening sociables where were in attendance some o 
most noted men of the day, and by his genial hi 
and courteous deportment won their good opii 



13 

that was never entirely withdrawn from him in his 
failing fortunes. 

He had now fully determined upon a life of easy 
idleness, and so abandoned had he become to careless 
prodigality that, in a few years, he found that he had 
wasted his substance and had become a beggard bank- 
rupt. But he was still constant to his purpose, and 
when he found he had no longer the means of living 
upon equal terms with his former companions, he 
determined to adopt a sort of vagabond Bohemian life, 
which he chose to distinguish and dignity by the 
title of profession, and thus secure an idle ease and 
the comforts of life which he was too proud to work 
for and too honest to feloniously appropriate. 

Thus overleaping the barrier of a legitimate gen- 
tility, the late affluent and dashing young Virginian 
soon became familiarly known as the incorrigible Beau 
and Bummer; and in a few years had become so no- 
torious that few strangers ever came to Washington 
without asking to be shown this accomplished chaiv 
acter, being perfectly willing to submit to the inevita- 
ble tax incident upon every such introduction. 

He possessed a remarkable memory of faces and 
names^and knew all the public men of his time, and, 
on their annual return to the Capital during the win- 
ter season, he would meet them very familiarly and 
address each by name. He was often tolerated by 



14 

some of the first statesmen, who would enjoy his jokes 
and dodges, and often introduced him to their friends 
from the States, frequently as Colonel Hickman, and 
then retire to watch the manner in which he would 
wring from them the price of his acquaintance. 

His annual revenue amounted to a very consider- 
able sum, for he lived for many years in good style, 
and during the summer season he seldom failed to 
visit one or more of the fashionable watering places, 
and rarely missed a horse race, for he considered him- 
self au fait in all matters pertaining to the turf, and 
in his latter days could tell of the famous horses of 
the past thirty years. He was also fond of relating 
to strangers reminiscenses of great men, and always 
spoke of them in the most familiar manner. 

Perhaps the bast method of defining his particular 
traits of character and idiosyncrasies of talent, as shown 
in his particular profession, would be to illustrate them 
by the practical developments of his plots and 
schemes. Many of his dodges have become traditional 
American jokes, and will be preserved for years to come 
along with the anti helium traditions of Washington 
society and famous American celebrities. 



HOW HE BEGAN HIS PROFESSION. 

After running through with his fortune, and being 



15 

suddenly "let down" to a strait of impecuniosity, big 
turf friends, aud other sporting acquaintances, did not 
desert him, but generously contributed to his support, 
until, by his natural talent and ingenious address, he 
became the recognized ward of the traveling public* 
With this assistance he still adhered to his former mode 
of living, retaining his preference at the clubs, and 
preserving his wonted prestige at the races and other 
places of sport and pastime. Although, after his heavy 
losses by injudicious bettings, he had determined to 
refrain from investing iu these hazardous sports, yet, 
so greatly was his opinion in regard to horses esteemed, 
that he was invariably solicited for his judgment by 
sporting men, and he made it a source of considerable 
revenue by accepting liberal gratuities for his advice on 
matters relating to the races. 

His effective manner of story-telling was another 
method of acquiring a reward ; for there was always a 
wealthy class of gentlemen residing at the Capital who 
were wont to indulge him in his accomplished "beatings" 
for the amusement he afforded. 

He could readily adapt himself to the diffe rent- 
classes of society with which he chanced to be thrown, 
and in his early days, not then being considered a bore, 
he found his victims ready and anxious to pay tribute 
to his eccentricities. 

Usually, at the conclusion of a story, he would re- 



16 

mark that it was worth a quarter or some other small 
sum of money, and the listener would laugh and un- 
suspectingly reply, " Certainly it is— it is a d— d good 
yarn," but not suspecting the drift of his dodge, would 
not think of offering the reward, whereupon Beau 
would say, "Please then pass over the 'chips.'" The 
victim would be seized with blank amazement, and 
look quizically at the "Colonel" as he paid over the 
conceded value of the story, only to be startled by the 
loud burst of laughter from his friends, who were con- 
veniently posted to enjoy Beau's nonchalance and the 
victim's innocent amazement. 

He was, also, very attentive to strangers, and could 
very readily insinuate himself into their confidence, 
and then offer to conduct them to the various places 
of amusement and interest in the city. He would 
avail himself of these opportunities to practice his 
various dodges upon them, and often met with the 
most unexpected success. 



HIS ADVICE ABOUT FARO. 



Whenever any of the young gentlemen accompa- 
nied him around the city desired visiting gambling- 
houses, he would very paternally admonish them of 



17 

their folly, but if tbey persisted in entering these 
places, he usually gave them some good advice. He 
has been charged by some as having been employed 
as runner or ringer-in to these establishments, but 
we think from the tenor of his usual advice that the 
charge was unfounded in fact. " You want to tackle 
faro, do you '?" he would say. "Well, then, let me 
give you some advice, for I should know something 
about it. When you get in you will find many 
players, big and risky ones too. You play light— the 
dealer may get mad as h — 1 when he discovers 
bow you play, but never mind him, for he will be 
compelled to let you win whilst he goes for the heavy 
players. If you liave good luck don't be too greedy, 
and determine to break the bank, but leave before 
your luck turns against you." He would generally 
conclude his cautionary advice by informing his 
anxious tyro that he usually charged a " red chip" 
for this advice, which he generally handed into the 
banker to be cashed. In speaking of money he 
would usually designate it as "chips," (from the 
checks used m the game of faro,) the white chips one, 
the red chips five, and the blue chips representing 
twenty dollars. He was greatly addicted to the use 
of professional and technical words and phrases, 
which, in his later life, became characteristic of 'his 
conversation. 



18 

HOW HE CHANGED HIS BOARDING. 

After he became short in finances, and had let 
some months pass without settling his board bills as 
formerly, Mr. Brown, of Brown's Hotel, (now known 
as the Metropolitan), which place Beau honored with 
his patronage, informed him finally that his bills were 
not paid as presented, and that, perhaps, he had just 
as well step across the way to the National, and share 
his patronage with that house. " All right, Mr. 
Brown," cheerfully responded Beau, and forthwith 
proceeded to the National, where he ordered the best 
rooms in the house, and, to his astonishment, he was 
permitted to remain several months before his bills 
were presented. 

This unusual indulgence was occasioned by the mis- 
take of a visitor who mistook Beau for a General 
Hickman of Kentucky, and the proprietor hearing him 
addressed as GenL H., (a mistaken identity which 
Beau was very innocent of correcting,) and knowing 
him to be reputed very wealthy, he was unwilling to ^ 
disturb his opulent guest with the usual monthly 
statement of account. 



HOW BEAU BEAT THE TAILORS. 

For a number of years Beau managed to provide 
that his excheauer should be able to meet anv demands 



19 

that should be made for the purpose of supplying any 
deficiency in his personal attire. Bat at last he had 
run the gamut of his fortune, and he became in sad 
want of proper habiliments to sustain his fashionable 
gentility. Becomiug reduced to the sorest straits^ he 
determined upon a bold rencounter with the tailors, Ia\ 
the most patronizing manner he would enter tlieic 
establishments and select materials of the most elegant 
and costly patterns and order them made up in the 
latest styles of the fashion, and when the bills were 
presented for payment Beau would express his great 
regret at his present impecuniosity, and would have 
recourse to some clever dodge to stay off the payment 
until the merchant would gradually realize the true 
character of his customer; as, for instance, in one case 
he with imperturable confidence remarked to one of 
his creditors that " his friend, President Jackson, wha 

by the way, was a d d good fellow, no matter what 

some folks might say about him, had borrowed a 
thousand dollars of him last night, and it would realljs 
be impossible to pay that little bill just then." The 
tailor overawed at the fact that his debtor numbered 
the President among his intimate friends, was only toa 
glad to conciliate his customer by beiug very profuse 
in his apologies and solicitations to use his own con- 
venience in the matter — which time he ultimately 
learned never occurred to the fashionable Beau, for he* 



20 

seemed to have a conviction of the Shaksperean adage: 
"Base is the slave that pays." At other times he 
would solicit fashionable suits, and argue with the 
tailors that the fact of its becoming generally known 
that they were the manufacturers of his clothing they 
would secure the patronage of the fashionable society, 
who affected his style, and in several instances was 
successful in thus procuring new out-fits. 



HOW HE DID OTHELLO. 

There are many little anecdotes in circulation about 
Beau that cannot be entirely vouched for, among 
which the following incident is sometimes related. In 
Ms early life, when he was yet the reputable gentle- 
man of elegant leisure, he no doubt made pretension 
to some gallantry to the fair sex, and it is said he at 
one time contemplated matrimony. By his splendid 
address he had attracted the attention of a beautiful 
southern belle who was spending the winter at the 
Capital, and had followed his successful suit almost 
to an engagement. It was his wont to direct his 
evening walks in the neighborhood where his fair 
enamorata resided, in order to obtain the opportunity 
of showing his devotion by little acts of gallantry, and 
to indulge his vanity in exhibiting his easy manner of 
bowing, which he, could perform io the most elegant 



21 

style. Washington was then little more than a good 
sized town planted in a marsh, and utterly innocent of 
finely paved avenues and streets, and the present sites 
of the beautiful parks were then only utilized for goat 
pastures, which species of lacteal quadrupeds were 
then greatly effected in the suburban districts. S trange 
as it may seem Beau's matrimonial aspirations were 
thwarted by au ungainly billy-goat, and his after-life 
made barren of sentimentality. The story runs, that 
on one of these occasions, whilst strolling in the vicinity 
of the residence of "ye fair ladie," he discovered her 
at her boudoir window, no doubt admiring the fascinat- 
ing person of the gallant young exquisite; and just as 
he had struck the pose and the poise, and was panto- 
miming his most exquisite bow by bending his person 
in the form of a crescent, a huge billy-goat, that had 
become the terror of the neighborhood on account of 
his bellicose disposition, made a dart from the rear and 
struck poor Beau in his profundity with such force that 
.lie was sent bounding to the front in the most comical 
gyrations, and finally landed in the acrobatic pose of 
stauding upon his head in his supurb white beaver hat. 
The situation was too ludicrous for the host of street 
arabs that crowded around the poor unfortunate, 
who added mortification and insult to the injuries 
received by the hideous uproar of their merriment. 
Sad, dejected, tattered and soiled, the discomfited 



22 

lover sought his hotel to repair the damage to 
his clothes and person, and, when in a few days the 
story of his misfortune leaked out, his companions of 
the club so irritated him by their ridiculous represen- 
tations of the scene, that he vowed never again to as- 
sume the role of lover. So deep, indeed, was the 
wound to his vanity that he never recovered from its 
laceration, and his confidence in his effective gallantry 
was so greatly impaired that he abandoned every 
thought of amorous sentimentality. 

On one occasion Mr. Oiay twitted him on his adven- 
ture with the billy-goat, and raised quite a laugh at 
his expense. Beau endured the ridicule of the great 
statesman with great composure, but silently deter- 
mined to have an appropriate revenge in some manner. 

Several days after this little pleasantry, Mr. Clay 
was walking out, as was his usual custom of evenings, 
with a corner of his red bandanna hanging out of his 
coat-tail pocket. He happened to pass in the neigh- 
borhood of Beau's late adventure, when the same 
billy-goat espied the red handkerchief and at once 
made the onset. Mr. Clay performed a very undigni- 
fied gyration, and recovered himself just in time to 
intercept the goat on his second expedition after a 
soft place on his person. Then stood the great states- 
man holding the goat by the horns, whilst he eagerly 
interrogated a crowd of hurrahing urchins around 



23 

him as to the best method of escaping from the goat, 
"Let go and shin it," advised one of the forward 
arabs ; but the great compromiser effected a bargain 
with one of the more mercenary of the crowd, whereby 
it was arranged that the boys, were to hold the goat 
whilst the statesman made good his escape. 

Beau heard of this adventure of the gentleman 
from Kentucky, and bided his time until he met him 
in the lobby of the hotel with his friends and col- 
leagues, when he told the circumstance of his adven- 
ture with the goat, and completely turned the laugh 
upon his late persecutor, and it is said he doubled his 
"assessment," with the understanding that Beau was 
not to further expose his "compromise" with the 
boys and the goat. 



HOW HE OBSERVED PROMISES. 

Truthfulness was always a peculiar feature in the 
character of Beau Hickman. Even in his earlier 
years he would rather endure the ridicule of his com- 
panions than shield himself from his peccadilloes by a 
denial of their commitment; and up to the day of his 
death he was known not to be addicted to untruthful- 
ness or promise-breaking, though often sorely tempted 
by the stress of adverse circumstances. Whatever 
may have been his peculiarities of habit, they were 



24' 

rather idiosyncrasies than faults. Although he was 
a cheat upon society, yet he never defrauded through 
false pretenses ; for he was never known to promise or 
make an obligation to pay when he practiced his 
dodges, and it is a well known fact that when necessity 
drove him to legitimate dealing he always liquidated 
his obligations fairly and satisfactorily. The res- 
taurateurs accounted him a fair customer when he 
gave his orders in the regular way, as they certainly j 
expected him to put some one else in for the bills 
when in company with others. It seems that it had 
become an irresistable mania for him to play his 
clever dodges, for at times, when in am* uent circum- 
stances, he was prodigal in the extreme ; yet, for the 
minor necessities and luxuries he would become the 
accomplished " beat," apparently more for the satis- 
faction derived from his successes than the enjoyment 
of the object obtained. This peculiar trait of scrupu- 
lous obligation in keeping a promise, never so rashly 1 
made, is finally illustrated in his bargain with Colonel 

T , then a rising young lawyer of Washington. The 

Colonel, like all newcomers had, of necessity at that 
time, to undergo the ordeal of an " introduction" to 
Col. Hickman, and like all others thus favored, he 
was compelled to " chip up" to the accomplished 
celebrity. It was also Beau's habit of following up 
these introductions with frequent " assessments or 



25 

" installments," as he termed it, of his acquaintance- 
ship. These assessments had been frequently levied 

upon Col. T , at short intervals, until, becoming 

tired of the game, he determined to put a stop to them 
by the following method : 

One day, as the Colonel was walking up the avenue, 
Beau accosted him and demanded his "installment," 
when the Colonel informed him that he was getting tired 
of these " assessments," and requested Beau to walk 
with him to his rooms, where he would propose a 
compromise. Beau quite indifferently replied that 
he would accompany him, and at least hear his prop- 
osition, but would not yield the point of assessment 
When they had arrived at the Colonel's rooms, he took 
from his wardrobe a very fine suit of clothing and pre- 
sented it to Beau with the understanding that he was 
never to speak to him again under any circumstances. 
Beau tried on the suit, and after admiring his im- 
proved appearance in the mirror, he in a very busi- 
ness-like manner informed the Colonel that he would 
accede to the proposition, aud politely bowed himself 
out of the apartment. They both lived in Washing- 
ton for thirty years after this bargain, and scarcely a 
day passed that he and Beau did not meet on the 
streets or places of public resort, but Beau passed him 
by unnoticed as though they had never met, and 
went on through the gradations of his decline and fall, 



26 

and at last closed his eyes in his eternal sleep without 
even breaking this promise. There was no enmity, 
no harsh feelings toward each other — merely a, prom- 
ise that was not to be broken. 



HOW HIS NAME WAS USED. 

Beau generally was very sensitive and would become 
highly indignant at any disrespectful allusion to his 
general character; but at times he would be facetious 
in his rebuke to what he regarded unwarrantable 
liberties. On one occasion au acquaintance who was 
not entirely devoid of some ancient superstitions, and 
wishing to invest in a lottery, was induced to do so in 
Beau's name, for the reason that he had heard that .if 
a ticket was held in the name of some worthless or 
vagabond character it would be insured successful. 
Let the virtue in superstition be what it may, the 
ticket really drew one hundred and sixty dollars. 
Although Beau knew nothing of the transaction, 
yet the sense of honesty prevailed, and the lucky 
drawee tendered and paid eighty dollars, one- half of 
the amount drawn, over to Beau as his share, and in- 
formed him of the motive and result of his investment. 

"Well, that is d d cool for you, and cheeky as a 

brass monkey, but hereafter let there be no partner- 



27 

ship business between us," Beau cooly retorted, whilst 
pocketing the "chips." 



HOW HE PLAYED OX SOME YOUNG VIRGINIANS. 

As was some times the custom with the young men 
of the neighboring city of Alexandria, a party of four, 
taking advantage of a fall of suow, started on a sleigh- 
ing excursion to the Capital, aud when they arrived 
there they drove up at one of the first-class saloons on 
Pennsylvania avenue. Having entered, and just as 
the drinks for the party had been ordered, a well 
dressed gentleman, apparently passed middle age, 
entered the saloon and stood very indifferently at the 
couuter of the bar, as though he was modestly wait- 
ing until the bar-tender was through helping the 
party of young gentlemen, when, apparently inadver- 
tently, he pretended to have noticed some casual 
remark of one of the party, and in the very blandest 
manner imaginable he apologized and begged to 
know if the gentleman was not a Virginian — as he 
was lead to infer from a certain remark that he hap- 
pened incidentally to hear. The gentleman assuring 
him of the correctness ol' his inference, he expressed 
his pleasure by very graciously assuring the gentle- 
man that he himself was proud to boast the same 



28 

nativity — when he was interrupted by the young 
Virginian, who replied, that he was always happy to 
meet with Virginians, and the party pressed the 
stranger to join them in drinking. " Oh no, my dear 
friend I could not think of thus imposing myself 
upon your little party, although I just stepped in to 
take a iittle smile myself; you will please excuse 
me, young gentlemen, as I feel the embarrassment of 
seemingly obtruding." All of which was done in the 
most patronizing manner. But the party could not 
think of excusing so polished and affable a Virginia 
gentleman, whom the bar-tender had just introduced 
to the party as Ool. Hickman, and whom they never 
for one moment suspected as being the accomplished 
Beau. " What do you drink, Colonel," was the per- 
sistent invitation of the party, until, at last, the over- 
pressed Colonel very naively suggested that the bar- 
tender was familiar with his style of drink, and 
pleasantly nodded his assent to be served. After 
drinking each other's health, and a friendly inter- 
change of compliments, the Colonel, frequently look- 
ing at his watch as if a little impatient, at last re- 
marked : " Well, gentlemen, I thought to take a 
little luncheon; won't you join me?" "No, no," 
remarked one of the party; "we came in to have a hot 
supper, and our distinguished Virginian must be 
guest to us — no, no; you are at our mercy now." 



29 

" Well, well, young gentlemen — I know very well how 
it is with young Virginians, but really you must 
excuse me; I cannot consent to so impose upon your 
liberality." "But you must," interposed one of the 
party who, perhaps, was mindful of cultivating an 
influence in Washington, with a selfish idea for politi- 
cal preferment, "you must consent to sup with us — 
waiter take our orders." " Well, well, really gentlemen, 
you have the pressing manners of real Virginians — I 
am heartily glad of having met with you. I hope I 
shall have the pleasure of a more intimate acquaint- 
ance hereafter." After enjoying the supper, he was 
again pressed to join in the social glass — his being 
what, as before suggested, the bar-tender knew — when 
he very politely excused himself to meet another en- 
gagement. But when the bill was called for they 
then suspected the character of their friend's drinks 
from the surprising item of their cost ; for he had too 
fine an opportunity to indulge in the luxury of imported 
beverages. Just as he passed out of the saloon, the young 
gentlemen were startled bya sudden roar of laughter from 
a far corner of the room, where sat a party of elderly 
gentlemen unnoticed before by the festive Virginians, 
and whom they suddenly recognized as intimate ac- 
quaintances. "What on earth are you all laughing 
at V inquired one of the young party. "Laughing 
at you, you young fools, to let Beau Hickman beat 



30 

you so unmercifully, and then make yon feel so 
obliged to him for his patronizing assurance ." "Beau 
Hickman," exclaimed the party in wounded surprise, 
as the truth of the situation flashed upon them. 
"Come, boys, let us go," suggested one of the dupes, 
and let us try to study up some plan to estop those 
confounded spies from telling this on us at home ; for 
if they do we shall never hear the last of how Beau 
Hickman played the courteous Virginian over us. 



HOW HE LEVIED ASSESSMENTS. 

Beau's intimacy with many of the first men of his 
day was greater than was generally suspected, and was 
often their companion in " bouts " around the city — 
the zest of their dissipations often drawn from the 
resources of his fertile genius. Some of their escapades 
might not have harmonized with their wonted dignities, 
but they furnished Beau with opportunities for culti- 
vating social familiarities which he was not slow to 
turn to account. 

Beau's habit was to assess the various members of 
Congress and other officials around Washington with 
a regular and specific amount, which he would collect 
in the most business-like manner. At first they would 
humor his demands on account of his brazen effrontery, 



31 

which he regarded as a virtual recognition of the 
demand. 

About once every quarter he would present his " bills 
for quarterage ;" nor could the ingenuity of his victims 
devise any plan to escape the rapaciousness of his 
demands. His knowledge of human nature was of 
gseat service in suggesting the proper time and place 
for presenting his "bills," which would generally beat 
some public place when the pseudo debtor was sur- 
rounded by colleagues jind friends, whilst engaged in 
good humored hilarity. At one time not to be " patron- 
ized" by Beau was considered a slight, and to refuse 
to humor his "beatings" was thought to be wanting 
in liberality. 

Sometimes \m victims would pretend to protest 
against his frequent "assessments" or complain of 
excessive charges. On one occasion he met a wealthy 
southern member and in his proverbially courteous 
manner intimated that his " quarterage-" was in arrear 
and handed him a slip of paper on which was the state- 
ment of his assessment regularly made out. The 
member objected to the bill as excessive, and proposed 
a compromise by paying half of the amount. But 
Bean was unyielding in his demand, and assuming the 
dignity of a legitimate dealer refused any compromise 
in the matter, "No, sir," he would, very arrogantly 
reptyi "your assessment is strictly in proportion to 



32 

your means; and, sir, knowing that I am no d d 

Hebrew you should not expect me to compromise 
myself by entertaining such unbusinesslike proposi- 
tions. Why, sir, if I reduce the ratio of your assess- 
ment, that d d stickler from the other side of the 

House would refuse to pay one cent." Such unscru- 
pulous effrontery would entirely disarm the amused 
victim, and he would again pay up his dues, and Beau 
would again be enabled to lay in the necessary supplies 
for another quarter. 



HOW HE ASSUMED THE INDIGNANT. 

On one occasion whilst on a visit to Philadelphia he 
became very much embarrassed in his finances, and 
was put to some sore straits to procure his meals. 
Being one day rather severely pressed by his appetite, 
he determined on a bold scheme. He entered a first- 
class basement saloon and loitered around, carelessly 
observing the pictures on the walls until he heard some 
one descending the stairs, when he hastily opened the 
door and hurriedly started up the same steps and rudely 
collided with a young midshipman of the United States 
Navy. Beau was the first to recover, •and very in- 
dignantly threw the blame of carelessness upon the 
young middy, in thus insulting a gentleman. The young 
midshipman was easily convinced by the positive manner 



33 

of Beau that he had rudely jostled a gentleman, and 
was profuse as he was courteous in his apologies, and 
would insist upon Beau dining with him, when they 
also drank to the hope that they might remain constant 
friends. Beau followed the hint, and for some days was 
a constant visitor to the young midshipman's rooms, 
and, as it always happened, his calls were made just 
before the usual meal-times, Beau was invariably pre- 
vailed upon to accompany his new found Mend, and 
cultivated his hospitality. 

It was some years after, when on a visit to Wash- 
ington, he happened to meet Beau at one of the hotels, 
that he found out for the first time that the friend he 
had made in Philadelphia was the inimitable Hickman, 
and at once discovered how he had been the victim of 
his credulity in gentlemanly, but indignant deportment. 



HOW HE BEAT TWO BALTIMORE HOTELS. 

Beau was instinctively a sportsman, and never 
missed attending the races. On one occasion whilst 
attending the Baltimore races he was fooled by his 
judgment, and bet too freely on the wrong horse, so 
that when the races were over he was out of money, 
and was compelled to resort to some clever dodges to 
maintain himself in Baltimore, and provide th e 



34 

means of returning to Washington. His first dodge 
was to procure bis meals, and it was necessary, to 
maintain his character for gentility that he should 
affect the first-class house of that city. His first 
attempt was at the B — hotel, where he enquired of 
the clerk " if a gentleman could get meals for bis 
money;" to which the -clerk very blandly replied in 
the affirmative. Beau at once entered the dining- 
room, and after monopolizing the attention of the 
servants and dining sumptuously, he returned to the 
clerk and threw down a small piece of coin, about 
one-fourth the amount of the bill, and turned to walk 
away. "But," said the clerk, " this is not sufficient 
to pay for your dinner." " Why, sir," replied Beau, 
"that is all the money I have, and you assured me 
that I should have my -dinner for my money." Just 
then the proprietor stepped in and recognizing Beau? 
he comprehended the situation of affairs and offered 

him five dollars to go down to the G hotel and play 

the same joke on his friend G . Beau readily 

acceded to the proposition, and went down and 

secured a royal supper on the same terms. G 

also felt the ludicrousness of his situation, and fearing 
that his friend would find out about his being so 
cleverly sold by Beau Hickman, he gave him ten 

dollars to go up and play the same on his friend B , 

The next day, when the two hotel proprietors met to 



35 

laugh at each other, they learned from each other's 
revelations how dearly they had paid for Beau Hick- 
man's patronage. 



HOW HE OFFERED TO PAY A HOTEL BILL. 

In his earlier days Beau was very fond of visiting 
the various cities where he had acquired a reputation 
as a fashionable man of the world. He prided him- 
self, too, on his intimacy with some of the wealthiest 
sporting men who made the rounds of the different 
cities, and frequently accompanied them as companion* 
He happeued in Xew York city on one occasion where 
he was unavoidably detained some weeks. Finally, his 
hotel bill was presented to him and he found himself 
utterly unable to pay it. In his dilemma he sought 
out a very wealthy sporting friend and asked the loan 
of a thousand dollar bill for a few minutes, which he 
knew him to possess. His friend accommodated him 
_ and Beau presented the bill to the clerk with the request 
that he would change it and deduct the amount of his 
board. The sight of so large an amount of money 
in his possession made the clerk very obsequious, and 
as he had not sufficient money on hand to change the 
bill, Beau was requested to make himself very easy 
about the matter, which he very willingly did until an 
opportunity presented for him to imitate the wander- 
ing Arab by stealing away. 



36 



HOW HE PLATED IT ON A CONDUCTOR. 

The races being over and Beau not caring to remain 
longer in Baltimore, be began to bethink him how he 
could- work his passage back to his old haunts around 
the Capital. Nothing daunted he entered the gen- 
tlemen's car of one of the trains of the Baltimore and 
Ohio Company, bound for Washington, and placing 
an old card under the band of his characteristic high 
white beaver, (which at that time was rather more 
dilapidated than was his wont,) and taking an inside 
seat near a window, took a careless survey of the sur- 
roundings. After the train had started, when lie 
noticed the conductor enter the car for the purpose of 
taking up tickets, Beau thrust his head out of the 
window apparently interested in some passing sight. 
Whilst thus apparently engaged, the conductor tapped 
him upon his shoulder to call his attention. Beau 
jumped back suddenly as if greatly startled and knocked 
his hat off out of the window. When he was informed 
of the purpose of the conductor he became greatly 
enraged and insisted upon having the train stopped 
to recover his hat and ticket. He became so very 
threatening towards the conductor for so rudely accost- 
ing and frightening him, that the conductor became 
alarmed at his untoward conduct, and begged Beau's 
pardon, but could only conciliate him by allowing him 



37 

a free passage and promising to replace bis loss by 
purchasing him a new hat on their arrival at Washington, 
which promise lie faithfully performed to Beau's entire 
satisfaction. 



HOW HE OBTAINED A PAIR OF BOOTS. 

On one occasion when Beau had become greatly in 
need of a pair of boots his inventive genius was taxed 
for the following ruse, which was adopted to procure 
the much needed pedestal casings : Hastily entering 
the shop of a fashionable artisan, he gave his order 
for a pair of boots, to be delivered at his rooms at a 
certain hour on the second day following. Having 
given his precautionary instructions that they should 
be delivered promptly at the hour named, he went to 
another shop and gave the same order and similar 
instructions. 

On the day specified, at the precise hour, the first 
dealer sent the boots by a shop-boy. Beau drew the 
right boot on and pronounced it a capital fit, and then 
pretended to exert himself in trying to get the left 
one on, but apparently failed and gave it back to the 
boy to take back to his master for the purpose of 
having it stretched in the instep, charging the boy to 
be in haste, as he was just about leaving the city on a 
a protracted visit. 



38 

No sooner had the boy left, and he concealed the 
"boot he had retained, than another boy from dealer 
number two entered with the pair of boots that had 
also been ordered. Beau tried on the left boot this 
time, and expressed himself much pleased with the 
fit, but when he tried the right boot he found the 
same objection, and very petuleutly dispatched the 
second boy back to his master with the right boot to 
be treated as had been ordered with the left one of 
the other pair. 

Thus possessed of a pair of new boots he sauntered 
out of his apartment to enjoy a stroll in the fashion- 
able quarter of the metropolis, and to meditate on the 
bootless meeting of the two shop-boys on their return 
at his closed doors, each having a boot that would 
mate the other, yet not being a mated pair. 



HOW HE BREAKFASTED WITH A STRANGER. 

As illustrative of his unscrupulous impudence in 
his efforts to husband his resources against contingent 
necessities, the following imposition was practiced 
upon an accidental acquaintance with whom he met 
one morning at a restaurant. During the course of 
the breakfast the restaurateur jovially introduced 
Beau as being one of the celebrities of the Capital. 



39 

Beau of course took advantage of this opportunity, 
and, by his apparently very anxious interest in the 
stranger, insinuated himself into a degree of confidential 
familiarity. The stranger having finished his meal 
asked the restaurateur the amount of his bill, when 
Beau very pleasantly remarked, as though half in jest, 
that if it was convenient he would take it kindly if he 
would just settle both bills together, and very blandly 
expressed the hope that, in case he proposed remain- 
ing some days in the city, he would have the pleasure 
of conducting him to some of the places of interest and 
amusement. The stranger very good humoredly took 
in the situation, and paid the reckoning for both. 
Afterwards, when he learned the true character of 
Beau, he would tell his friends the story of how he 
paid for his introduction to the celebrated Bummer. 



HOW HE LIVED. 

Sometimes, when away from Wasnington on a pro- 
tracted visit, Beau would fiud it quite difficult to make 
all the "ends meet," and was sometimes compelled to 
resort to humiliating dodges to procure the necessary 
means to return to Washington. On an occasion of 
this kind, he happened in Baltimore, where some friend 
took up a collection by passing a hat around in a well 



40 






filled bar-room for bis benefit. The contributions 
were quite liberal, and the collection realized quite a 
handsome sum. Beau very thankfully received the 
money, and proposed that all present should take a 
drink, which they all very willingly consented to do. 
After drinking, Beau inquired whether all present had 
taken a drink, and being answered in the affirmative, 
he very coolly replied, " Well, that's all right, now let 
us all pay for our drinks like gentlemen," at the same 
time throwing a ten cent piece upon the counter as 
pay for his own drink. " But," remonstrated the 
party, "you invited us to drink." "Certainly,' 
replied Beau, " but did not promise to pay for your 
drinks." " But you certainly cannot mean to treat us 
so shabbily," insisted the victimized party. " Why, 
that's the way I live," replied the incorrigible Bummer, 
and very politely bowed himself out of the saloon. 



WHEN THE CABINET DINE. 

Beau was very fond of entertaining strangers from 
the country and took great pleasure in gratifying their 
curiosity by good naturedly answering their questions, 
and apparently becoming interested in their proper un- 
derstanding of everything about the capital city of the 
country. Sometimes he would amuse himself by 



41 

indulging in a pleasant canard, or relieve the monotony 
of a prosy story by some amusing facetiousness. A 
stranger was once asking him concerning the habits of 
the great men of the country, and was curious to know 
of some of their domestic habits and customs. " At 
what hour do they usually dine?" inquired a stranger, 
Beau was amused at this curiosity, and entered into 
the explanation in detail, assigning to each of the 
Secretaries and members of the Cabinet a different 
hour until the night had been assigned away. " But 
when does the President dine ? w inquired the anxious 
questioner. " Oh, he don't dine until the next day," 
was Beau's facetious reply, which seemed to be an 
entirely satisfactory arrangement to the stranger. 



A JOKE. 



It is said that when the fifty cent stamp was shown 
to Treasurer Spinner he detected the striking resem- 
blance of the vignette to Beau Hickman, and to obviate 
any mistake he had engraved under the likeness : 
Samuel Dexter, Secretary of the Treasury. Beau is 
said to have insisted that the joke was rather fine, and 
claimed the benefit of the doubt. 



42 



BEAU AT THE CARNIVAL. 



In the year 1871, when the wooden pavement was 
finished on Pennsylvania avenue, it was suggested by 
some of the live spirits of the city that the event was 
worthy of commemoration, and that it should be made 
the occasion of general rejoicing. 

It was concluded that, inasmuch as it would be com- 
pleted about the time when the annual carnivals are 
held in New Orleans and other southern cities, a simi- 
lar celebration would be the best way to impress upon 
the mind of the public the importance of the occasion, 
as it was an interesting occasion not only to the people 
of Washington, but to the whole American people. 
Every one looks with pride on the Capital of his country, 
and every Washingtonian looks with pride on Pennsyl- 
vania avenue, the most beautiful boulevard in the city, 
and every way worthy to bear the name of that noble 
State, the Keystone of the Union. Perhaps no event in 
the history of Washington ever called together such a 
vast concourse of people as was assembled on that 
occasion, young and old, heads of families with their 
little ones, bewitching misses, sallow looking old maids 
and courtly bachelors, young gentlemen with mustaches 
waxed to agonizing tightness, nursing babies carried by 
their mothers, stuffed with paregoric and soothing 
syrup to still their cries, and in fact the whole popular 



43 

tion of the city, together with numerous visitors, bent 
on enjoying the pleasure the f£te afforded. 

Arrangements were made for races of every descrip- 
tion — horse races, mule races, foot races, sack races, 
pig chases, dog chases, and in fact races and chases of 
every kind that would afford amusement. The most 
celebrated and valiant knights (for which the neighbor- 
ing States are noted) were enlisted to tilt for the honor 
or crowning the Queen, and he who won that honor did 
it by his good lance, for the many thousands assembled 
would not have allowed anything but fair play. Hembold 
the Buchu man, with his celebrated team, together 
with all the famous teams in the country, were shown 
off on the avenue; but with all these attractions no 
card drew so well as Beau Hickman on his steed, 
which by the way was an old gray mare. " The boys" 
had rigged him in grand style, and he was the observed 
of all observers, for this was about the first time within 
the knowledge of the oldest inhabitant that Beau had 
been seen without an ante, and as his name was so 
well known throughout the country as the " Prince of 
Bummers," there was great anxiety to see bim, and 
many were the inquiries as to which was Beau, and 
upon his appearance in the arena all eyes were bent 
upon him, and many were the gibes and jokes hurled 
at him, and right bravely did he bear them. He 
bestrode his gallant stsed with all the dignity of a 



44 

king, accepting with equanimity the jest or compliment, 
only regretting when the free-ride was over, although 
he was heard afterwards to remark that lie was very 
sore, and it is alleged that he took his meals standing 
for some time afterwards. 

On the second day Beau was the first to enter the 
arena and a loud shout of applause along the entire 
avenue welcomed him as the Mourns of the occasion, 
and during his charges up and down the avenue he was 
cheered lustily, and received the plaudits with a char- 
acteristically graceful bow. He seemed to enjoy the 
carnival throughout with a dignified pleasure. 



a bootblack's story. 

During the carnival a stranger asked a bootblack 
standing at the corner of Seventh street and Penn- 
sylvania avenue, " Is that the renowned and celebrated 
Beau ?" " Yes, that is Colonel Beau Hickman, he hag 
been putting on a good deal of style for the last two days, 
and intends to enter that pony for the trotting race." 
"How does he live, does he work?" continued the 
stranger. " Oh no, he had a good deal of money left 
to him, but he spent it all in a very short time, and 
since has been living on the interest of the money he 
spent — so they say." This explanation was entirely 



45 

satisfactory, and the bootblack drowned his inter- 
rogator's last question by a loud applause at one o( 
Beau's faets of horsemanship. 



ON THE WAY DOWN THE HILL OF LIFE. 

From about the year 1856, Beau commenced going 
to the " demnation bow-wows," as was his favorite 
expression, at rather a youthful age. His early dissi- 
pation told heavily on his physical constitution, and 
the leathery features began to grow in his facial 
appearance, and the bunions and corns increased and 
enlarged on his pedal extremities until he had the 
appearance of an old man hobbling in his gait. His 
fashionable dissipation and his peculiar mode of living 
having worn out a life that might otherwise have lasted 
a score of years longer. But with all his faults 

HE WAS NEVER A DRUNKARD, 

And during the last years of his life when invited 
to drink by his friends he would step up to the bar 
and claim either a cigar or ten cents, the cost of a 
drink, which would always be cheerfully handed 
him. Indeed, this habit has been regarded as 
one of the best temperance lectures of the age, and 
Beau's fortitude in resisting the temptation and refrain- 
ing from becoming a common druDkardis only another 



46 

evidence of the order of character of which he was 
possessed, but failed to turn to a more useful account. 
Beau and Bummer as he professed and prided him- 
self, yet he possessed some admirable traits of character? 

HE DESPISED A LIAR, 

And,although he practiced many questionable"dodges," 
yet he was never known to wilfully tell a lie or make a 
promise which he would not perform. 

If in his " bummings " any one at first denied having 
any "change," and afterwards offered to respond, he 
would indignantly decline to receive it upon the ground 
that a falsehood had been told, a circumstance that 
brought many a blush to more pretentious persons. 

During the late war he had considerable luck with 
the officers quartered at and visiting the city, but he 
always bewailed the " unpleasantness," remarking that 
it was a serious injury to his profession, "For, you 

know," he would say, " these d d ;vankees have 

not the same liberality of southern gentlemen." After 
the close of the war Beau began to decline rapidly, 
and could be seen hobbling about the hotels with 
seamed and leathery face, anxious to ply his profession, 
but he had outlived his time. 



HOW HE PLAYED THE BARRISTER. 

Beau's sympathy on one occasion for an old friend 



47 

who had been arrested for some trivial offense, was so 
highly wrought tbat he offered his services to appear 
for him before the city court. Mayor Leuox was then 
in office, and the offender was duly arraigned before 
him. Beau very gravely arose to put in the prisoner's 
defense, but was abruptly disposed of by the Mayor, 
who informed the assuming barrister that if he did not 
quit the court-room he would be sent to the workhouse. 
Beau immediately abandoned his client, and left him 
to the mercy of the Mayor. 

Some time after the Mayor's term of office expired, 
Beau met him and reminded him of the interference 
with his practice, and said, "See here, Mayor, you are 
no longer in office, and I think we had better settle 
our account, its getting too large." The Mayor laughed 
good naturedly at Beau, and in accordance with the 
custom paid up back dues and all. 



POOR BEAU. 

He had already lived too long to. sustain the eclat of 
his profession, and together with his failing spirits and 
physical infirmities he began a rapid decline, and was 
often snubbed by those who only knew of him in his 
decline and failures. But there was still a class of old 
residents surviving who knew him in his better 



48 

days and recollected the brilliancy of his early career 
as sportsman and Beau, who still respected his u assess- 
ments." It was only a few days before his last illness 
that a wealthy resident met him hobbling along the 
streets and paid him his last assessment of ten dollars, 
more from force of habit of old time usage than as a 
charitable gratuity. 

In the latter part of the month of August, 1873, he 
was suddenly stricken down with paralysis and sent to 
Providence Hospital, where he received the kindest 
attention from the good Sisters. He was unable to 
move or speak or make known his wants for some days. 
He thus unconsciously lingered until the first of Sep- 
tember, when, on a calm Sabbath afternoon, he quietly 
breathed his last without a motion or moan. Thus 
passed away Washington's great celebrity, unhonored 
but not unknown ; tor, probably, no character was more 
proverbially famous than that of Beau Hickman, and, 
although the prestige of his career had waned, yet he 
retained his renown in the traditional history of the" 
Capital. 

His sudden death caused a sadness in the places of 
bis old haunts, and elicited many a generous expression 
of sympathy ; and many of the habitues of his old 
resorts felt like Prince Henry at the supposed death 
of Sir John Falstaff, that they "could have better 
spared a better man," 



49 

A TOUCHING INCIDENT 

Occurred in the hospital when poor Beau was breathing 
the last of his life away, which caused the eyes of the 
Sisters and attendants to dim with sympathetic tears. 
A little five year old boy was laying on a pallet opposite 
the dying Beau, and hearing the physician announce 
his inevitably approaching end, the little fellow propped 
himself up and in all the innocence of boyish sympathy 
called to Sister Beatrice and said, " If poor Mr. Hick- 
man dies put these flowers on his grave for me," at 
the same time handing her a bouquet of beautiful 
flowers which had been given him by some lady visitor. 

That bouquet was preserved by the kind Sister and 
afterwards placed on the coffin as was requested. 

His remains were interred in Potter's field at the 
expense of the corporation. TsTo fashionable pageant 
— no weeping mourners followed his bier to the pauper's 
tomb. He died as he had lived, and the only token of 
affection that relieved the cold indifference at his death 
was the tear-damped flowers contributed by that little 
companion in Providence Hospital. 



SHAMEFUL DESECRATION. 



On the following day after the burial several of his 
friends who had not before heard of his death con- 



50 

tributed a sum sufficient to give his remains more ' 
decent interment in the Congressional Cemetery. 
Hacks and carriages were furnished at the various hotels 
for the accommodation of all who wished to attend the 
second funeral, and thus give expression to their kindly 
remembrance of the famous celebrity who had so long 
contributed. to their social enjoyment. Arrangements 
had been made for the disinterment of the remains, 
and when the grave had "been opened the coffin was 
found broken open and the body most shamefully 
mutilated. The scalp had been removed from the 
cranium and the brains taken out, the heart removed 
and other inhuman mutilations to the body. The 
sight was as sickening as it was revolting to decency, 
and the last rites were hastily performed and the new 
grave closed up forever over the mortal remains of a 
most remarkable man, possessed in life of a character 
strangely compounded of all the idiosyncrasies of 
genius. Notorious in life, he left behind a name and 
character that will live for years as the most eccentric 
Bohemian of the age, and prince of American Bummers ; 
and the sad catastrophe of his life will serve as a lesson 
of warning to the rising generations, that a life without 
some definite aim and worthy object must prove a sad 
and deplorable failure. 

The following poero was contributed to the Capital 
newspaper at the time of Beau's death, and reflects 



51 

the general appreciation of his harmless character and 
kindly remembrance of a common friend : 



BEAU HICKMAN. 



Beau Hickman had no friends, but he died without enemies. 
Evening Star. 



His quarters for jesting hereafter, 

Will be pitched in the land of no mirth, 
The jester who moved us to laughter 
At a quarter a piece upon earth. 

But he'll shamble around and not mind it, 
In spite of his bunions and cramps; 

Quaint business I reckon he'll find it, 
While dunning the angels for stamps. 

He will pun on the key of St. Peter, 
And the trumpet of Gabr'el he'll toot, 

And bore them in rhyme or in meter, 
And charge them a quarter to boot. 

That is, if they charge him for lodging, 
But there they ne'er dicker or trade, 

So Beau will be done with bis dodging, 
Since the debt he owed nature is paid. 



52 

And his face that was tanned into leather, 

I suspect will its freshness regain, 
For the airs of that beautiful weather 

Will woo away wrinkles and pain. 

I have heard that Beau was dishonest, 

A statement I scorn to believe, 
For he paid every cent if he promised, 

Doing neither he did not deceive. 

He professed to subsist without labor, 

A wag and dead-beat it is true, 
But they say he ne'er slandered his neighbor, 

Which is more than his neighbor can do. 

Of his faults I have mentioned a sample, 
There were many and barren of love ; 

But the good I have written is ample 
To secure him a comer above. 

And I bid him good night, without feeling, 
Poor Beau ! with a vagueness of tears ; 

So stopped have the wheels of his being, 
And the weights have run down with his years 



CENTENNIAL GUIDE 



TO 



WASHINGTON CITY AND VICINITY 




THE CAPITOL. 

The first and greatest object of interest to the visitor is the 
Capitol, a magnificent building, situated a little east of the 
centre of the city, and can be readily reached by the Pennsyl- 
vania Avenue, F street and Belt line of city railways. 

The interior of the Capitol is grand; the Rotunda, which one 
naturally views first upon entering, is directly in the centre of 
the building, and is divided into eight panels, between which 
are four bas reliefs of historical subjects, representing respect- 
ively, "Preservation of Ca'pt. Smith by Pocahontas," ''Landing 
of the Pilgrims," "Conflict between Daniel Boone and Indians," 
and "Penn's Treaty with the Indians.'' The paintings occupy. 
ing the several panels are ''Declaration of Independence," 



54 

"Surrender of General Burgoyne," "Cornwallis* Surrender at 
Yorktown/' "Washington's Resignation at Annapolis/ Embark- 
ation of the Pilgrims/' "Landing of Columbus/' "Baptism of 
Pocahontas/' and "Discovery of the Mississippi by De Soto." 
A number of other paintings adorn the Rotunda ; aud the 
sculptor, too, has done his part in the embellishment of this part 
of the Capitol. These are but a few of the objects of interest 
which the visitor will find in the Capitol, and to which they will 
be conducted by the Police, whose duty it is to see to comfort 
of visitors, and to conduct, or direct them to such places of 
interest as they desire to go. 



THE WHITE HOUSE. 

The Presidential Mansion, known all over the country as''The 
White House," is on Pennsylvania Avenue, at a distance of over 
a mile west of the Capitol, and is within easy access by way 
of the Pennsylvania Avenue Street Railway cars, which run 
directly in front of the grounds. It is 170 feet front and has a 
depth of 86 feet, and is situated on a plot of ground comprising an 
area of 20 acres, and the building itself is on an elevation of 
44 feet above the Potomac. On the opposite side of Pennsyl- 
vania Avenue, and in front of the Executive Mansion is La- 
fayette Square, which is beautifully ornamented with trees, 
shrubbery and flowers. This square contains the celebrated 
Equestrian Bronze Statue of Jackson, the work of Clark Mills, 
who has the honor of being the first artist to succeed in erect- 
ing a statue of a steed poised on his hind feet ; cannon captured 
by Jackson in his conflicts with the British, constituted the 



55 

material of which the statue was made; it cost $50,000. Nearly- 
all parts of the Executive Mansion are accessible to visitors 
and something of interest may be found in all of the apartments; 
but the east room is especially deserving of attention. This 
room is 80 feet long, 40 feet wide, 22 feet high, and is furnished 
with much splendor. 



SOLDIERS' HOME. 

On a high plateau three miles north of the Capitol is the 
Soldiers' Home or Military Asylum. The site was selected by 
General Scott, the object being the establishment of a home 
for the worn-out veterans of the United States Army. The 
main building is 593 feet long, and built of East Chester Marble. 
The drives leading to this retreat are exceedingly fine and 
romantic. 



NATIONAL OBSERVATORY. 

The National Observatory, which has already played a part 
in the world of science, was erected during the administration 
of President Tyler, and is situated between the President's House 
and Georgetown, at the distance of about a mile from the former. 
The building is two stories high, and surrounded by a a movable 
dome. The Equatorial, which is a fourteen foot refractor, is 
mounted in the revolving dome, and it is worth while to observe 
the spleudid machinery attached to it. This Observatory lies 
in north latitude 38° 53' 39", and west longitude 77° 2' 48" 



56 

from Greenwich, and is itself a meridian. This is one of the 
most interesting places to visit in the district, and visitors will 
always find some one in attendance to show and explain the 
objects to be seen. 



INSANE ASYLUM. 

The Insane Asylum which is built of brick and is 74 feet 
long, surrounded by highly ornamented grounds, and is situated 
on a prominent elevation in a retired spot on the east bank of 
the Potomac ; the style of architecture is Gothic ; embattled 
parapets surround the whole building, and while the facade 
presented is extremely simple, it is yet very rich. The insti- 
tution is well conducted and is worthy a visit. 



CONGRESSIONAL CEMETERY. 

The Congressional Cemetery, originally called the Washing - 
Ion "Parish Burial Ground, is beautifully situated on the 
eastern branch of the Potomac, about two miles from the Capitol. 
The grounds are laid out in splendid style, with paths and 
iavenues running all around and through them. The remains 
of General Taylor, Henry Clay, John C. Calhoun, and others, 
whose names are historical, reposed for a while in the vault of 
this Cemetery. Here too are monuments in memory of Naval 
heroes, while the red men of the forest has representatives in 
various graves. 



57 

THE GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE, 

One of the largest establishments of the kind in the world*, 
is located directly north of the Capitol. Nearly all the 
printing and binding required by Congress, and the numerous 
Government departments in Washington, is done in this 
building, and the most recent and perfect machinery is used 
in the execution of the work. A visit should not be omitted 
by the inquiring visitor. 



WINDER'S BUILDING. 

Northwest corner of F and 17th street. It is owned by 
the government and used for the accommodation of a 
variety of public officers, namely, the Chief Engineer of 
Army, the Battle Record Room, Judge Advocate* General 
of the Army, a portion of the Adjutant General's Office,, 
the Army Ordinance Office and Museum, and the Second 
Auditor ef the Treasury. 



METHOD OF NUMBERING STREETS, &c. 

For one not familiar with streets, localities, and points of the 
compass in Washington, a reference to the map will be neces- 
eary to illustrate this explanation of the somewhat complex sys- 
tem of naming and numbering the streets, which has always 
be en a source of confusion to the stranger. This system, how- 



58 

ever, when fully comprehended, enables one to find any given 
street and number without assistance. 

The city is now divided into four sections, the Capitol being 
the centre, respectively denominated Northeast, Northwest, 
Southeast, Southwest. Streets of the same names appearing 
in all these sections, and the same avenues, in several cases, 
traversing more than one section, it is customary in stating an 
address to add to the street the initial letters (as N. E., etc.) 
of the section in which it is located. An exception to this rule 
is the Northwest section, which contains the main portion of the 
city, regarding which the indicating initials are dropped, and 
by common usage it is understood, when no section is stated, this 
section is meant. 

The streets running east and west are lettered, and those run- 
ning north and south are numbered, except some very short 
streets which intersect blocks, 

The buildings are numbered upon the Philadelphia plan. On 
the lettered streets, running east and west, and lettering each 
way from the Capitol, and avenues running diagonally, the num- 
bers of the buildings begin at North and South Capitol streets, 
and count each way, the numbers of the streets indicating hun- 
dreds, those between First aud Second streets including from 
one hundred upward, between Second and Third streets from 
two hundred upward, and so on. 

The numbered streets running north and south count each 
way from the Capitol, and the buildings thereon number from 
the dividing line, viz : The Government Reservation No. 2, on 
the west, and East Capitol Street on the east of the Capitol. 
The system of numbering is the same as with the lettered streets. 



59 



the numbers being located to correspond with the letters of the 
alphabet. 



TREASURY DEPARTMENT. 

Pennsylvania Avenue and 15th street, east of the Executive 
Mansion. Visitors admitted daily, except Sunday, from 9 A. m. 
to 2 P. M. 

With a written order from the Secretary, and under the 
direction of the Superintendent, the visitor can be admitted to 
the Printing Division of the National Currency Bureau. 



NEW BUILDING FOR STATE, WAR, AND NAVY 
DEPARTMENTS. 

To the west of Executive Mansion is now being erected the 

magnificent building which is to accommodate the State, War, 

and Navy Departments. It will be an imposing structure with 

four fronts and it is expected will surpass ail other buildings ia 

Washington except the Capitol, 



THE WAR DEPARTMENT 
Occupies the building on the west side of the Executive Man- 
sion, and fronts Pennsylvania Avenue. 



THE NAVY DEPARTMENT 

Occupies the building a little south of, and similar in appearance 
to, the War Department edifice, 



60 

THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE 

At present occupies a building belonging to the Protestant 
Orphan Asylum of Washington. The building is located on 
14th street, and is temporarily occupied by the Department 
until the completion of the building mentioned in connection 
with the War and Navy Departments. 




THE POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT 

Is located on the square bounded by 7th and 8th, and E and 
F streets, about half way between the Capitol and Executive 
Mansion, and three squares north of Pennsylvania Avenue. 
This is the site of the first Post Office which was burnt in 
December, 1836. The present building is one of the finest 
structures in Washington. The architecture is Corinthian, and 
material white marble, which gives a beautiful and imposing 
effect. It has a front extending two hundred and four feet on 
E street, north, with wings of three hundred feet on 7th and 
8th streets. 



61 



THE INTERIOR DEPARTMENT 

Is located in the Patent Office Building. This magnificent 
structure, the object of which is so closely connected with 
mechanical and social progress, is in all respects admirably 
adapted to its purpose. The principal front, with its splendid 
portico, looks down 8th street. 



THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 

Occupies the building in the Mall, a short distance south of 
Pennsylvania Avenue, and between 12th and 14th streets. 
The beauty of its grounds and surroundings are equally 
attractive to the simply curious visitor as to the farmer, to the 
admirer of the beautiful as to the botanist. 





SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION. 

The fine grounds and building of this Institution are in the 
Mall or Government Reservation No. 2, facing Pennsylvania 



62 

Avenue and opposite South 10th street, west. The surrounding 
grounds directly attached to the building cover twenty acres, 
and with the remainder of the reservation, are under Congres- 
sional control. 

The founder of this Institution was James Smithson, an 
English gentleman, son of the first Duke of Northumberland, 
a native of London, and a graduate of Oxford, who died in 
Italy in 1828. 

The National Museum is the most interesting feature of the 
Institution, It contains the specimens gathered by more than 
fifty exploring expeditions of the Government from every 
quarter of the globe. 



THE DEPARTMENT OP JUSTICE 

Is presided over by the Attorney General of the United States, 
and is accommodated in the south wing of the Treasury Depart- 
ment Building. 



The tall shaft of marble west of the Department of 
Agriculture, and so distinctly seen from all parts of the 
city, is the unfinished 

WASHINGTON MONUMENT, 

The corner-stone of which was laid July 4, 1848. The 
original design contemplates a circular building 250 feet in 
diameter and 100 feet high, and above this an obelisk seventy 
feet square at the base and 500 feet high. 



63 

THE ARSENAL 

Is located on the extreme southern limit of the city, at the 
mouth of the Eastern Branch, and is in full view from the 
Navy Yard. Curiosities from the battle-fields in the late 
war form a feature of special interest. 



ORDNANCE MUSEUM 

Is in Winder's Building, northwest corner of E and nth 
streets. This museum contains many objects of great 
interest, namely, the captured confederate flags, specimens 
of uniform and equipments, models and drawings, curious 
arms of many kinds, ages, nationalities, and sizes. 



ARMY MEDICAL MUSEUM, 

And office of the Surgeon General of the United States 
Army, is located on 10th street between E and F streets, in 
a building which was originally a church, subsequently 
Eord's Theatre, and specially interesting as the place of the 

assassination of President Lincoln. 



THE COAST SURVEY OFFICE, 
Under the care of the Navy Department, is in a neat and 
commodious building on Capitol Hill, and within a few steps 
of the southern entrance to the Capitol grounds. 



64 




MOUNT VERNON. 

Mount Vernon belongs to the people of the United States. 
By contribution they purchased it, and they have full control 
over it. It is eight miles below Washington, and occupies one 
of the most beautiful and romantic sites to be found on the banks 
of the Potomac. Its great attraction is, however, to be found 
in the fact that it was the home of Washington, and that his 
honored remains there quietly repose. There Washington lived 
and died, and there he and his wife quietly sleep. Mount 
Vernon has therefore become the Mecca to which Americans 
annually make pilgrimages. Among the objects of interest are 
pictures of the Washington family, the key of the Bastile, 
presented to Washington by Lafayette and others. The lid 
of Washington's white marble Sarcophagus is wrought with the 
arms of his country, and has simply inscribed upon it the one 
name, "Washington." 

Steamer Arrow, Captain Frank Hollingshead, leaves foot of 
Seventh street at 10 o'clock daily, Sundays excepted, for Mount 
Vernon, 



65 



THE CONGRESSIONAL CONSERVATORY, 

Where rare plants from all parts of the world can be seen 
in full bloom, is opposite the west side of the Capitol grounds 
and south of Pennsylvania avenue. There are several 
thousands specimens in the collection, arranged in different 
conservatories, according to the required temperature. 



CORCORAN ART GALLERY. 

Mr. W. W. Corcoran, a wealthy citizen of Washington 
and a liberal patron of art, has erected a beautiful building 
with all the necessary appointments for a complete art gallery, 
entirely at his own cost, which he has donated to public 
uses and conveyed to a board of trustees to be held as 
a perpetual trust. It stands at the northeast corner of lYth 
street and Pennsylvania avenua. It was commenced in 
1859, and in 1861, when nearly completed, was taken by the 
Government for the use of the Quartermaster's Department, 
and surrendered to its owner in 1869, after which it w:rs 
finished and dedicated to its intended purpose. 

Open daily from 10 A. M. until near sunset ; free on 
Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdaj^s. Admission, twenty- 
five cents, on Mondays, Wednesdnys and Fridays. 



GG 




THE NAVY YARD. 



Located in the eastern section of the city, on the Anacostia 
River (the eastern branch of the Potomac.) The grounds 
comprise about three hundred and fifty seven acres, and are 
approached, on the land side, through a handsome gateway, 
contiguous to which are several guns, trophies of naval 
warfare, the inscription on each stating its history. The 
workshops, ordnance stores, mementos of maritime adven- 
ture, ship-houses, and frequently monitors and war vessels, 
present objects of interest sufficient to occupy very profitably 
the time of the visitor. Near the yard are the Marine 
Barracks and Marine Hospital. 



67 




YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION 



Have a handsome building at the corner of Ninth and D 
streets, where the stranger will always find a welcome. 
The rooms are open from nine a. m. to ten p, m. Newspapers 
and magazines, religions and secular, from all parts of the 
country, are to be found in the reading-rooms. The library 
embraces about twenty thousand volumes, of nearly ever}- 
class of literature, and is free to all to read in the rooms ; 
and by the payment of an annual fee of two dollars, books 
can be taken awa}^ The membership fee, entitling to all 
the privileges of the Association, is four dollars annually. 



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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 




